Japanese Rock Garden & Bonsai

Sorry, for not updating my bonsai blog for sometime. Cause I have shifted from my penthouse, to a rented house has a small balcony on temporary basis, i am unable to work on my bonsai. Most of them are now at Ahmedabad Bonsai Club members place, and cheerfully all of them have agreed to cooperate, for free! Also my back problem has aggravated to sciatica, and that has kept me immobile for almost a month now.

For last few days I am browsing Internet for Japanese Garden. It's also know as dry landscape or Zen Garden or Karesansui (in Japanese) . Just like bonsai, they say Japanese garden is never finished. It changes with season & time. There are various styles, just like in Bonsai but one that has attracted my attention is Japanese Rock Garden. It is basically a sand bed (which represents ocean) & rocks (which represents islands). Trees & Bonsai are optional in most of the case, however if you decide to use them, lesser the better.

The sand bed which comprised of Grave of 1 - 2 Cm in size max, has to be raked, such that is given an impression of flowing water body. Rocks of different size are placed individually or in Group such that overall a soothing scene is created.

You can google around to read more about Rock Garden,

I found great pics on http://www.phototravels.net/kyoto/zen-gardens-index.html

Japanese Garden is meant to be viewed from one angle & this is not always the case. Japanese Rock Garden are easy to maintain, but than it needs to be raked everyday or as frequently as you can.

I think if we combine Japanese Rock Garden, Bonsai & Suiseki it will make a killing combination as seen in the picture below. One of the Stones can also be used as a pedestal to keep a bonsai. If anyone of you is interested in making one, than I will be willing to work with them on this project.

Things to keep in mind, when making Japanese Rock Garden in Ahmedabad.

- A border of pebbles which separate the rock garden area. The pebbles colour should be in contrast to the gravel colour that is used in the rock garden pit.

- If plot area permits, create 5 islands should be there which should comprise of 2 Individual stones, 1 pair of 2 stones, 1 pair of 3 stones, 1 heart stone. Please keep in mind that rock denotes islands & gravel the ocean, accordingly keep proportion of rock & gravel same as land & ocean.

- Rock can be directly planted in gravel or on a slightly raised platform which can be covered with most or shrubs, never trees.

- Gravel needs to be raked to create a Serene picture & wakes of sea/ocean

- Rock Garden can be created in tray, terrace or as one part of a big garden

- Ideally rock garden should be fenced from 3 sides such that outsiders cannot view the same & creates a disturbance when somone is viewing the same.

- Rocks with sharp edges should be avoided

- Rocks wtih similar shape should avoided.

- When 2 or 3 rocks group is creted, they should complement each other

- Size of gravel can vary from 1/2 cm to 1.5 cm max, ideally pieces of Granites should be used

- Corase white sand if available is the best material for the gravel

- Fountain or pools cannot be created, gravely is methapor for the same

- Don't create something that nature cannot like Square, Circular, Star, Triange shaped garden or stones should be avoided

- Go for odd no. of stones in the japanese rock garden

- fimilarize yourself with few japanes terms that go with Rock Garden

- the aim is to greate a landscape in a small garden

- remember, less is more as per japanese rock garden master

reference article:

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/japanese/2003/design.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_garden

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/japanese-gardens.shtml

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081399_build-japanese-rock-garden.html

: ma - space

: wabi - one of a kind or spirit of something, solidarity

: sabi - ideal image of something, patina (e.g. moss covered rock, denoting aged rock)

: sumi - balance

: in & yo or yin & yang

ramesh sinha, ahmedabad bonsai club